The absence of certain footballing talents from the World Cup has left fans heartbroken. Among these players is Italy’s 27-year-old captain, who has gained acclaim as one of the world’s top goalkeepers. After a significant transfer to Manchester City, he has swiftly adapted to the Premier League’s demands for ball skills, a quality he perfected during his tenure at Paris Saint-Germain. Although he showcased his penalty-saving prowess during Euro 2020, he was unable to save any against Bosnia and Herzegovina in Italy’s crucial World Cup playoff.
Another notable exclusion is the 23-year-old Venezuelan defender, who made waves with his performance in Copa América 2024, playing both left-back and right-back positions. His relentless defensive style and unwavering work ethic have made him invaluable to Real Sociedad, yet Venezuela fell short of qualifying for the World Cup inter-confederation playoffs by just two points.
Edmond Tapsoba (Central Defense, Burkina Faso)
Edmond Tapsoba, the Bayer Leverkusen center-back, has emerged as one of Europe’s premier ball-playing defenders, crucial to his club’s domestic success under Xabi Alonso in the 2023-24 season. The 27-year-old is celebrated for his calmness and impressive passing ability, yet despite his outstanding form, Burkina Faso was unable to secure their first World Cup appearance.
Riccardo Calafiori (Central Defense, Italy)
Following an impressive season at Bologna, Riccardo Calafiori transferred to Arsenal in 2024, making a memorable debut with a spectacular goal against Manchester City. This adaptable defender played a pivotal role in Arsenal’s title win this year, becoming only the third Italian to earn a Premier League medal. With Italy’s failure to qualify, Calafiori will spend the summer recuperating, though he has at least found solace in club silverware.
Milos Kerkez (Left-Back, Hungary)
Recognized for his aggressive runs and crossing skills, the 22-year-old Liverpool player embodies the modern attacking full-back. Since his stint at Bournemouth, Kerkez has consistently delivered strong performances in the Premier League. Unfortunately, Hungary could not secure qualification, finishing third in a group topped by Portugal.
Carlos Baleba (Central Defensive Midfield, Cameroon)
As a rising star in Brighton’s midfield, Carlos Baleba has drawn comparisons to elite defensive players. His ability to disrupt opponents’ play and transition quickly has made him an essential asset for both his club and the Cameroonian national team. Despite his physical prowess and development this past season, Baleba will miss out on the finals.
Marcelino Núñez (Midfield, Chile)
The Chilean midfielder has been the creative force behind Ipswich and his national squad. Renowned for his vision and expertise in set pieces, Núñez brings a technical flair often lacking in Chile’s central play. As the golden generation wanes, he stands out as a beacon of hope for La Roja’s future.
Dominik Szoboszlai (Midfield, Hungary)
Szoboszlai was a rare bright spot in Liverpool’s lackluster Premier League title defense, known for his set-piece deliveries and remarkable long-range goals against teams like Arsenal and Manchester City this season. As captain and a key player for Hungary, his absence will be felt, diminishing the tournament’s overall excitement. A World Cup appearance would have celebrated his impressive five goal contributions in six games, but Hungary’s lack of focus dashed their hopes, prolonging their absence from the finals for 40 years.
After a historic hat-trick in the Europa League final for Atalanta, Ademola Lookman became a hot transfer topic in 2024, with numerous clubs vying for his explosive speed and finishing skills. He was Nigeria’s standout player at the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations, scoring three goals and providing four assists, yet the Super Eagles have missed consecutive World Cups for the first time since 1990.
Victor Osimhen (Striker, Nigeria)
Regarded as one of the most lethal strikers in the game, Osimhen poses a significant challenge even for top defenders. Now at Galatasaray following several failed transfer attempts, he remains a prolific scorer, netting eight times during qualifying. It begs the question: would Nigeria’s fate have changed had he not missed five qualifying matches due to injury, all of which resulted in dropped points?
The 25-year-old joined Paris Saint-Germain with a reputation for his selfless play and industrious nature. Capable of influencing any match with a single moment of brilliance, he has consistently excelled on European stages and is now a two-time Champions League champion. Despite Kvaratskhelia’s two goals during qualifying, Georgia finished a distant third in their group.
Other notable mentions include: Jan Oblak (Slovenia), Illia Zabarnyi (Ukraine), Matty Cash (Poland), Konstantinos Karetsas (Greece), Alex Iwobi (Nigeria), Christian Eriksen (Denmark), Bryan Mbeumo (Cameroon), Serhou Guirassy (Guinea), and Robert Lewandowski (Poland).
